Your Council!Your Council
NOTICE OF MEETING
 
BOARD
 
DAY/DATE:               THURSDAY, 27th JULY 2006
                                                                     
TIME:                        6.00 PM
 
VENUE:                     COUNCIL CHAMBER
                                 MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS
                                EARLE STREET
                                 CREWE
 
Despatch date:          18th July 2006
 
Enquiries to:              Joanne Smith                                Tel:      01270 537032
                                                                                    Fax:     01270 537605
                                e-mail: agendas@crewe-nantwich.gov.uk
 
Board Leader:            Councillor B G Silvester                 Tel :  01270 567757                                                                                                 Fax:  01270 567757
                                 e-mail: cllr.brian.silvester@crewe-nantwich.gov.uk
 
To:       Board Members (for attendance)
All other Members of the Borough Council
Management Team
Local Press and Radio
 
MEMBERS OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THIS MEETING
 
Notes for Members of the Public
 
The Board consists of 10 elected Members and Councillor Brian Silvester, the Council Leader, is the Chairman.
 
The Borough Council welcomes and encourages members of the public to attend its Board, Committee and Council meetings.
 
If you plan to attend, please report to the Reception Desk in the Municipal Buildings, where you will be provided with a Visitor's Pass.
 
Car parking is not available at the Municipal Buildings, but there are several town centre car parks.  There is a disabled access to the rear of the Municipal Buildings, and this can be accessed through the side door on Vernon Way.  Please press the button for attention, and someone will meet you and escort you through to the main reception area.
 
You are asked to remain quiet whilst the meeting is taking place, and to enter and leave the meeting room, or public gallery of the Council Chamber, as quietly as possible.  Please ensure that if you have a mobile phone or pager, it is switched off for the duration of the meeting.
 
You are not allowed to have drinks or food in the meeting rooms, nor in the Public Gallery.  A "No Smoking" policy operates in the Municipal Buildings.
 
Fire Evacuation
 
If the fire alarm rings, you should make your way to the nearest exit with your belongings, as quickly as possible, and leave the building.  Please follow any instructions from staff about evacuation routes.
 
Copies of the agenda will be available if you attend. Agendas are also made available on the Internet and can be accessed via the Council's website see front page for details.
 
On occasions, members of the press and public will be excluded from the meetings when the business to be transacted is of a confidential nature, for example, dealing with individual people, contracts and financial affairs of other parties.
 
If you require any further information, please contact Joanne Smith (details on front page).
 
Agenda Information
 
Items on the agenda have been grouped together in 3 categories:
 
Category "A"
 
Key issues; constitutional matters; matters having a strategic or significant community impact; new policy or changes to existing policy
 
Category "B"
 
Performance Management issues
 
Category "C"
 
Organisational and other matters
 
The reports in "Category "A" reflect the priorities identified in the current Corporate Strategy which the Borough Council has set itself to achieve continuous improvement in the environmental, economic and social well being of the Borough of Crewe and Nantwich. These are:
 
Improve the Area's Appearance to improve the physical environment of the Borough to be achieved by noticeable uplift in the appearance of the Borough complemented by the enhancement of some key locations.
 
Neighbourhood Action recognising that the Borough is made up of a large number of communities and neighbourhoods the Borough Council wants to lead public agencies in providing integrated services at neighbourhood level, particularly in areas of high economic and social stress.
 
Push for Prosperity aimed at ensuring the Borough has a strong local economy and that sufficient jobs are available locally to meet the demands of population growth and which are of a particular quality and resilient to economic downturns.
 
Customer Focus to be a Council which organises itself and conducts its business so as to maximise the benefit and value to the people it serves.
REVISED 19 January 2004

AGENDA
 
1.        Declarations of Interest
 
1.1       Any Members present (including non-Committee Members) to declare any personal or prejudicial interest, and the nature of those interests, which they have in any item of business on the agenda and, if necessary, to leave the meeting prior to discussion of that item.
 
1.2       Members who also serve as County, Town or Parish Councillors, are reminded of the need to make declarations in respect of any item which directly concerns the business of the appropriate authority.
 
1.3       Declarations are a personal matter for each Member to decide.  Whilst Officers will advise on the Code of Conduct and its interpretation, the decision to declare, or not, is the responsibility of the Member, based on the particular circumstances.

2.         Board Decisions
 
2.1       To receive the Statement of Decisions made by the Board at its meeting held on 28th June 2006 (distributed in the Record of Meetings to be issued on 24th July 2006).

3.         Reconsideration of Decision Municipal Square, Crewe Suspension of Certain Works
 
3.1       In accordance with Rule 14 of the Performance and Overview Procedure Rules and Rule 2 of the Executive Procedure Rules contained within the Council's Constitution, the Board is required to reconsider Decision No 3 (Municipal Square, Crewe Suspension of Certain Works) following the call-in and subsequent meetings of the Performance and Overview Committee, Local Economy and Environment and Council.  A copy of Decision No 3 is attached for information. (3.1)
 
3.2        At its meeting on the 15th June 2006 the P & O Committee, Local Economy and Environment, recommended that the decision be referred to Council for review on the grounds that the decision was "of high local significance and of public interest" and that Council not Board was the appropriate forum for further consideration or review. 
 
At the Council meeting held on 28th June 2006 the following motion was carried:
 
"That this Council
 
(a)   recognises the Board's commitment to re-consultation;
 
(b)   wishes to minimise the impact of possible abortive and/or additional costs on the Council Tax payer;
 
(c)   views it as imperative that the Crewe War Memorial is located in an appropriate setting for November's events (Armistice Day & Remembrance Sunday this year); and
 
therefore urges the Board to allow works on the Municipal Square to proceed to completion without further delay, and without prejudice to the outcome of public re-consultation."      
 
4.          Consideration of any Performance and Overview Committee Reports and Recommendations
 
4.1       To consider comments/observations from the Performance and Overview Committees on reports that fall within their remit.

CATEGORY B
Performance Management
 
5.          Progress Report on the 2006-2011 Corporate Strategy
 
5.1       Report of Councillor Brian Silvester, Leader of the Council.
 
5.2       The Board requires a summary report of progress made on the Corporate Strategy every six months.  The report provides a summary of the progress made on the four corporate priorities in the Strategy.
 
5.3       The Board is asked to consider whether an acceptable rate of progress is being achieved in the implementation of the Council's Corporate Strategy and to note the report on progress made.
             
5.4       Performance and Overview Committees All.

  
6.          Progress Report on Corporate Projects
 
6.1        Report of Councillor Brian Silvester, Leader of the Council.
           
6.2         The Board has selected six capital projects which it regards as being of corporate significance and to be subject to reports on progress every six months. The report outlines the progress made on each of the six corporate projects.
 
6.3         The Board is asked to note the contents of the report.
 
6.4         Performance and Overview Committees All.

7.         Annual Consultation Plan - Update 
 
7.1       Report of Councillor Margaret Simon, Portfolio Holder for Customers.
 
7.2       The report sets out the updated position on the three year consultation programme and provides information on some of the key issues emerging from recent consultation.
 
7.3       The Board is asked :
            (a) To note the contents of the report; and
            (b) Also that the key messages arising from recent consultation be noted and used to inform service planning, decision-making and policy development.
 
7.4       Performance and Overview Committee - Organisation.

8.         Joint Area Review
 
8.1       Report of Councillor Ray Westwood, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods.
 
8.2      All local authority services for children and young people in Cheshire, and the wide range of services from other agencies and organisations, will be reviewed in a single inspection called the Joint Area Review (JAR) which will take place in Autumn 2006. Part of the preparation for the review is the completion of a self-assessment against the outcomes and Cheshire County Council is leading on the preparation of this with contributions from all partners.
 
8.3      The Board is invited to endorse the Joint Area Review Self-Assessment.
 
8.4       Performance and Overview Committee   Community.

  
9.         2006/07 Budget Monitoring Statement
 
9.1       Report of Councillor Graham Fenton, Portfolio Holder for Finance.
 
9.2      The report provides Members with information in relation to actual expenditure and income for the current financial year, the period April to June compared with profiled budgets.
 
9.3       Performance and Overview Committees All.
 

  
CATEGORY C
Organisational Matters
 
10.       Amendment to Car Park Orders Consideration of Objections
 
10.1       Report of Councillor John Hammond, Portfolio Holder for the  Local Environment.      
 
10.2       In January the Board approved additional details necessary to amend the Car Park Order (Decision No 135 5th January 2006).  Those details have been incorporated into a proposed Amendment Order which has been advertised and consulted on.
 
10.3       A number of issues arose from this consultation process and it was necessary to investigate, assess and consult on these further before any decision was made to either make or modify the Amendment Order.
 
10.4       The Board is asked to approve the amendments to the Car Park Order in respect of Lyceum Square (Crewe), Market Area (Nantwich) and Bower's Row (Nantwich) and to make an Amendment Order in respect of these car parks.  The Board is also invited to defer a decision on the other matters contained in the original decision and consultation, pending discussion by the Performance and Overview Committee Task Group and a subsequent Board report.
 
10.4    Performance and Overview Committee Local Economy and Environment.

  
11.       Stapeley Water Gardens Development Brief
 
11.1    Report of Councillor Rachel Bailey, Portfolio Holder for Planning.  
 
11.2    The draft development brief was approved for the purposes of consultation on 16th February 2006.  That period of consultation took place between 8th March and 19th April 2006.  The report outlines comments received and recommends certain amendments to the brief. The Development Brief has been provided for Board Members/Shadow Board Members, P & O Committee Chairs and Group Leaders only. 
 
11.3    The Board is asked to approve that the development brief, as amended, be formally adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document.
 
11.4    Performance and Overview Committee Local Economy and Environment.

  
 
12.1    Report of Councillor Graham Fenton, Portfolio Holder for Finance.
 
12.2    The report provides details of proposals to submit outline planning application for residential development on a site adjacent to Jubilee Gardens in Crewe.  Board approval is also sought for authority to dispose of a site located at the corner of St Paul's Street and Beech Street West, Crewe with the benefit of outline planning permission for residential development should it be granted.
 
12.3    Performance and Overview Committee Organisation.

  
13.       Sub-regional Choice Based Lettings
 
13.1    Report of Councillor Rachel Bailey, Portfolio Holder for Planning.
 
13.2      The Government has tasked all local authorities with implementing choice-based lettings (CBL) by 2010. The Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) aims to build on the existing CBL target by developing regional and sub-regional CBL schemes.
 
13.3       The Board is invited to approve in principle, Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council's participation, with other local authorities, in the development of a sub-regional Choice Based Lettings scheme, including the submission of a bid for implementation funding to the Department of Communities and Local Government in September 2006.
 
13.4     Performance and Overview Committee Community.

  
14.       Union Consultation Process
 
14.1    Report of Councillor John Hatfield, Portfolio Holder for Human Resources.
 
14.2    The report details proposals for a revised consultation process and includes amendments offered by UNISON on the proposals.
 
14.3    The Board is asked to approve the proposed consultation process protocol and require all Officers within the Council to consult with the unions using this approach.
 
14.4    Performance and Overview Committee Organisation.

15.       Food Service Plan 2006/07
 
15.1    Report of Councillor John Dwyer, Portfolio Holder for Safer Communities.
 
15.2    The Food Standards Agency works with local authorities through a Framework Agreement on Food Law Enforcement.  The Agreement sets out the standards of service provision expected by the Agency and the method by which those standards will be monitored.  The agreement includes a requirement for every authority to produce an annual Food Service Plan.  The plan must be approved every year by the appropriate decision making body of the Council.
 
15.3    The Board is asked to recommend to Council that the Food Service Plan for 2006/07 be approved and implemented.
 
15.4    Performance and Overview Committee Community.

  
16.       Health and  Safety Annual Report
 
16.1    Report of Councillor John Hatfield, Portfolio Holder for Human Resources. 
 
16.2     The report provides information on the progress that has taken place in the development of health and safety systems in the Borough. 
 
16.3     The Board is invited to accept and acknowledge the content of the report.
 
16.4    Performance and Overview Committee - Organisation

  
17.       Community Grant Application
 
17.1    Report of Councillor Ray Westwood, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods. 
 
17.2      The report contains details of an application by Willaston Bowling /Community Club for a grant to assist with the project to demolish the old clubhouse and lay foundations for a new Club House. 
 
17.3    Responsibility for grants of this size is delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods (Councillor Westwood).  However, Councillor Westwood has declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this application and the application has, therefore, been referred to Board for decision.
 
17.4    The Board is recommended to award a grant of £1,500 to Willaston Bowling/Community Club.
 
17.5    Performance and Overview Committee Community.

  
18.       Appointments to Outside Organisations
 
18.1At its meeting on 15th June 2006 the Board approved the appointment of Councillor T E Ankers as the Borough Council's  representative to the Alexandra Soccer and Community Association (Decision No 21). Councillor Ankers has since relinquished his place as the Council's representative to the Association.
 
18.2The Board is asked to approve the following appointment to the Alexandra Soccer and Community Association:
 
Councillor P A  Hallett.

19        Report of the Executive Director, Treasury and Corporate Support (For Information)
 
19.1    In accordance with Contract Regulations, the Executive Director,  Treasury and Corporate Support, reports on a tender which has recently been invited and received.
 
19.2    The report of the Executive Director, Treasury and Corporate Support is attached.

  
20.       Exclusion of Press and Public
 
20.1    The reports relating to the remaining items on the agenda have been withheld from public circulation and deposit pursuant to Section 100(B)(2) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that these matters may be determined with the press and public excluded.
 
20.2    The Board may decide that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following matters pursuant to Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A (as amended) of the Act.
 
(Paragraph 3  Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information.)

  
CATEGORY A
Key Issues
 
21.       Crewe Town Centre Development (Paragraph 3)
            (Report to follow)
 
21.1Report of Councillor Rachel Bailey, Portfolio Holder for Planning.
 
21.2The report contains details of the Heads of Terms in respect of the Crewe Town Centre Development Agreement. The Board is  asked to recommend approval of the Heads of Terms to Council.
   
21.3Performance and Overview Committee Local Economy and Environment.

  
CATEGORY C
Organisational Matters
 
22.       Waive of Contract Regulations - Composting of Garden Waste (Paragraph 3)
 
22.1Report of Councillor John Hammond, Portfolio Holder for the Local Environment.
 
22.2The Board is asked to approve that contract regulations be waived in respect of the contract for composting of garden waste.
 
22.3    Performance and Overview Committee Local Economy and Environment.  

  
23.       Nantwich Outdoor Pool (Paragraph 3)
 
23.1    Report of Councillor Bill McGinnis, Portfolio Holder for Leisure.
 
23.2    The report contains details of proposals in respect of Nantwich Outdoor Pool.
 
23.3    Performance and Overview Committee Community.
 
NOTE:
 
In accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act, the Council is required to notify those attending meetings of the fire evacuation procedures.  A copy has previously been distributed to Members and instructions are located in all rooms within the Civic Suite.
This agenda can be made available in larger text on request